April 13th, 2010 §
I received my copy of the Interweave Crochet Spring 2010 issue. This is a very nice issue. Lots of wearable garments for Spring.
A few items I would love to make if I can find time. One of them is the Devon Cardigan by Margaret Hubert. I think this would be cute with a little skirt. I’d like it to have some navy blue in it.
(c) Interweave Press
The other two items are the Kiki Dress by Annette Petavy and Bella Dress by April Garwood. I want to make both of these for my granddaughter.
(c) Interweave Press
(c) Interweave Press
Also in this issue are my Looking Glass Curtains. The curtains are made of one large motif and one small motif that contains two small mirrors enclosed in crochet cotton. To me, the curtains I made for Interweave Crochet look more antique, but these curtains are actually very adaptable to lots of different types of styles.
(c) Interweave Press
I think they would be beautiful done in a neutral, sandy color. Great for a beachy/cottage look. Also, dark red, burgundy, eggplant or even black for something more dramatic. Pastels would be pretty for a girls room, too.
I want to make a pair for myself, but I have to decide where I’m going to use them. It will be for curtains in my bedroom or either curtains for the windows or for french doors for my office/studio.
March 7th, 2010 §
Spring!
It’s almost here, and so is the next issue of Interweave Crochet magazine. It’s now available for preorder.
I have a design in this issue. It’s the Looking Glass Curtains. The description says: Tiny mirrors punctuate floral thread motifs. The preview should be up in a few weeks. Please let me know what you think of them.
March 4th, 2010 §
Thank you to everyone who sent messages asking how I am doing. I have been submerged in classes and work to the point where I barely have time to sleep.
I only sent out two crochet submissions last year. One was accepted and will be in the Spring 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine. I’ve done a little personal crocheting when I can find free minutes, and I’m putting together some designs that I am going to personally publish.
I am in the middle of an upcoming redesign for the This Is Crochet website. Look for that to come soon along with a few new patterns.
One thing that I saw and wanted to share is Robyn Chacula’s blog post on “Adopt A Designer.” Great idea!
I will be back later with a post about the AfroStitch Conference I attended this past weekend. I had a good time and met some great people.
August 19th, 2009 §
Guess what? I won 3rd place in the Home Décor category. Here is the list of winners:
http://www.crochet.org/pdfs/2009CGOADesignContestWinners.pdf
My entry was called “VictoriAfricana Footstool.” I chose this name because the footstool combines a traditionally-styled stool and fringe with an African-inspired motif and color scheme. I also chose to name it VictoriAfricana because it made me think of Queen Victoria, the style of the Victorian period, and the stories about her alleged African ancestry through her grandmother Queen Charlotte. I think the two different types of elements cause a pleasant friction.
I was so happy when I heard I had won. Thank you to all the judges.
June 23rd, 2009 §
Marcy Smith presents a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot for the Summer 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.
Hair, makeup, accessories and clothes! See how Marcy sets the mood and chooses the locations for each design.
Did you see my Mimosa Dress in next to last photo!
May 8th, 2009 §
The final finishing instructions were omitted for the Gardener’s Apron from the April 2009 issue of Crochet World.
The pattern should read:
Gardener’s Apron, page 52
CrochetWorld, April 2009
Finishing
For apron ties, using sewing needle and thread, center and sew grosgrain ribbon to back of Waistband. Seal ends of ribbon with fray check.
http://crochet-world.com/corrections.php?correctionid=72
April 18th, 2009 §
How did I move from thinking about designing crochet to actually doing it?
Crafter and writer, L’Tanya Durante interviewed me for her blog, Craftnicity. She asked me, “How did you finally shift from being an information gatherer to submitting a design?”
Want to know what I said? Visit Craftnicity and read “Taking the Leap: A Designer’s Journey” – http://tinyurl.com/das6jy.
February 16th, 2009 §
Gardener's Apron
Here’s my newest published design — the Gardener’s Apron –from the April 2009 issue of Crochet World Magazine. It is an easy-to-make apron that is made with Lily’s Sugar n’ Cream yarn.
Change the color of yarn or combine several colors and the apron would be cute for the kitchen too. Keep this one in mind for gifts too because it is a fast project.
If anyone is interested in doing this as a CAL, send me a note on Ravelry, and we can put one together. I hope you all enjoy making this.
January 15th, 2009 §
Lisa Naskrent of Crochet Garden has written a step-by-step article about how she does a submission that includes an evaluation of an actual submission she has done.
Lisa takes it from the beginning to final product. We are privileged to actually see her critique her own work product, and she includes photos of her actual submission.
This is invaluable information.
January 13th, 2009 §
Tips from a New Designer
This is Part II of yesterday’s post.
5. Photographs
If you already have a completed version of the design you are submitting, you may choose to include photos in addition to your swatch and/or drawings. Be sure they are clear and show your design at its best. Try photographing your design in natural light for the best pictures. There are some great tips here if you need help with your photos.
6. Contact Info
Include a separate card with your name, project name, the submission request for which it is submitted, all your contact information including email, website and telephone number. This allows the editor to have access to all your information without having to carry around your entire project. It also gives the editor a place to quickly jot notes on the back when reviewing your design. Be sure that your name and contact info (at least email and telephone number) are on EVERYTHING, including your swatches. My biggest fear is always that my swatch would become separated from the rest of my submission package, and there would be no way to determine where it went so I always make sure my information is firmly attached to my swatches.
7. Packaging
Think carefully about how you can make your package concise and compact. Make sure you package everything in a way that will allow it all to remain together. Also think about what might happen if your submission gets dropped or tossed onto a desk with a bunch of others. You want to be sure your items don’t easy fall out of your packaging. I’ve submitted projects that were inserted into plastic sleeves that were put into a binder. If you choose to do this, be sure to include a cover sheet for your binder, and don’t forget to label the spine too.
Even if you are submitting online, don’t skimp on your “packaging.” Some designers are fortunate enough to have developed relationships with editors/yarn companies so they only have to submit a photo/sketch and say here’s my submission for XYZ. If you are starting out, you need to put more into your submission. Like I mentioned above, be sure to include well-done photos of your swatches, your sketches and an adequate description, but also if this is someone you’ve never worked with, include a brief intro about yourself. Include your contact info in your email signature, and don’t forget to add a link to your blog or website. Invite them to “check you out.”
8. Be Unique
Finally, think about ways to make your submission packaging unique without being outrageous or obnoxious. Think about yourself as a brand and try to come up with a signature concept that would be a representation of you. That way whenever your package arrives, they will know it is yours.
I hope my sharing this has answered some of the questions I’ve been asked. If you have submission tips you’d like to share, comments, opposing thoughts or other observations, your comments are welcome.
